U.S. patent number 5,829,643 [Application Number 08/873,906] was granted by the patent office on 1998-11-03 for self-defense device.
Invention is credited to Rosemary Isabella.
United States Patent |
5,829,643 |
Isabella |
November 3, 1998 |
Self-defense device
Abstract
A new Self-Defense Device for thwarting off a would-be attacker
and allowing a potential victim to flee to safety. The inventive
device includes a grasping member adapted for grasping thereof in a
user's hand, a plurality of spaced spikes protruding downward from
the grasping member, and an end spike protruding from a second end
of the grasping member. A self-defense chemical irritant is
disposed within a hollow interior chamber of the grasping member
and an actuator mechanism is provided at a first end of the
grasping member for effectuating release thereof. The grasping
member alternatively functions as key-chain wherein a key-ring is
provided at the second end thereof.
Inventors: |
Isabella; Rosemary (Youngstown,
OH) |
Family
ID: |
25362571 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/873,906 |
Filed: |
June 12, 1997 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/175; D22/117;
463/47.4; 222/402.11; 222/192 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41H
9/10 (20130101); F41B 15/08 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F41H
9/00 (20060101); F41H 9/10 (20060101); B65D
083/88 () |
Field of
Search: |
;222/79,175,78,192,402.1,402.11 ;463/47.2,47.4 ;D22/117 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Bomberg; Kenneth
Claims
What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by Letters
Patent of the United States is as follows:
1. A self-defense device comprising:
a grasping member having a first end, a second end, a top surface,
and a bottom surface, said grasping member adapted for grasping
thereof in a user's hand, said grasping member having a hollow
interior chamber;
a plurality of spaced spikes protruding downward from said grasping
member;
an end spike protruding from said second end of said grasping
member;
said grasping member, said plurality of spaced spikes, and said end
spike together forming a smooth continuous surface without any
sharp surfaces;
a self-defense chemical irritant disposed within said hollow
interior chamber of said grasping member; and
an actuator means for effectuating release of said self-defense
chemical irritant.
2. The self-defense device of claim 1, wherein said grasping member
has a generally elliptical cross section so as to be easily grasped
in the user's hand.
3. The self-defense device of claim 1, wherein
said plurality of spaced spikes are generally parallel and
perpendicularly protrude from said bottom surface of said grasping
member, wherein said plurality of spaced spikes comprises
a first spike adjacent said first end of said grasping member, said
first spike positionable in use between the index finger and the
middle finger of the user's hand,
a third spike adjacent said second end of said grasping member,
said third spike positionable in use between the little finger and
the ring finger of the user's hand, and
a second spike intermediate said first spike and said third spike,
said second spike positionable in use between the ring finger and
the middle finger of the user's hand, and wherein
said end spike perpendicularly protrudes from said second end of
said grasping member so as to protrude in use from the palm of the
user's hand.
4. The self-defense device of claim 1, wherein said actuator means
includes a spray nozzle and a trigger button for triggering release
of said self-defense chemical irritant, said spray nozzle provided
at said first end of said grasping member and disposed on said
bottom surface of said grasping member, said trigger button
provided at said first end of said grasping member and disposed on
said top surface of said grasping member.
5. The self-defense device of claim 4, further comprising:
a trigger cover pivotally mounted on said top surface of said
grasping member over said trigger button for preventing accidental
actuation of said trigger button.
6. The self-defense device of claim 1, further comprising:
a key-ring provided at said second end of said grasping member.
7. A self-defense device for use with a replaceable self-defense
chemical dispenser having a cylindrical body equipped with a spray
nozzle and a trigger button, said self-defense device
comprising:
a grasping member having a first end, a second end, a top surface,
and a bottom surface, said grasping member adapted for grasping
thereof in a user's hand, said grasping member having a bore
therein, said bore open to said first end of said grasping member,
said bore adapted for receiving and retaining said cylindrical body
of said replaceable self-defense chemical dispenser whereby said
spray nozzle and said trigger button of said replaceable
self-defense chemical dispenser protrude from said first end of
said grasping member;
a plurality of spaced spikes protruding downward from said grasping
member;
an end spike protruding from said second end of said grasping
member; and
said grasping member, said plurality of spaced spikes, and said end
spike together forming a smooth continuous surface without any
sharp surfaces.
8. The self-defense device of claim 7, wherein said grasping member
has a generally elliptical cross section so as to be easily grasped
in the user's hand.
9. The self-defense device of claim 7, wherein
said plurality of spaced spikes are generally parallel and
perpendicularly protrude from said bottom surface of said grasping
member, wherein said plurality of spaced spikes comprises
a first spike adjacent said first end of said grasping member, said
first spike positionable in use between the index finger and the
middle finger of the user's hand,
a third spike adjacent said second end of said grasping member,
said third spike positionable in use between the little finger and
the ring finger of the user's hand, and
a second spike intermediate said first spike and said third spike,
said second spike positionable in use between the ring finger and
the middle finger of the user's hand, and wherein
said end spike perpendicularly protrudes from said second end of
said grasping member so as to protrude in use from the palm of the
user's hand.
10. The self-defense device of claim 7, further comprising:
a key-ring provided at said second end of said grasping member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to defense apparatus and more
particularly pertains to a new Self-Defense Device for thwarting
off a would-be attacker and allowing a potential victim to flee to
safety.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of defense apparatus is known in the prior art. More
specifically, defense apparatus heretofore devised and utilized are
known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious
structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs
encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for
the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
Known prior art defense apparatus include U.S. Pat. No. 4,044,922;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,119; U.S. Pat. No. 4,434,914; U.S. Pat. No.
5,305,874; U.S. Pat. No. D288,468; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,995.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives
and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new
Self-Defense Device. The inventive device includes a grasping
member adapted for grasping thereof in a user's hand, a plurality
of spaced spikes protruding downward from the grasping member, and
an end spike protruding from a second end of the grasping member. A
self-defense chemical irritant is disposed within a hollow interior
chamber of the grasping member and an actuator mechanism is
provided at a first end of the grasping member for effectuating
release thereof. The grasping member alternatively functions as
key-chain wherein a key-ring is provided at the second end
thereof.
In these respects, the Self-Defense Device according to the present
invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and
designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus
primarily developed for the purpose of thwarting off a would-be
attacker and allowing a potential victim to flee to safety.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types
of defense apparatus now present in the prior art, the present
invention provides a new Self-Defense Device construction wherein
the same can be utilized for thwarting off a would-be attacker and
allowing a potential victim to flee to safety.
The general purpose of the present invention, which will be
described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new
Self-Defense Device apparatus and method which has many of the
advantages of the defense apparatus mentioned heretofore and many
novel features that result in a new Self-Defense Device which is
not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by
any of the prior art defense apparatus, either alone or in any
combination thereof.
To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a
grasping member adapted for grasping thereof in a user's hand, a
plurality of spaced spikes protruding downward from the grasping
member, and an end spike protruding from a second end of the
grasping member. A self-defense chemical irritant is disposed
within a hollow interior chamber of the grasping member and an
actuator mechanism is provided at a first end of the grasping
member for effectuating release thereof. The grasping member
alternatively functions as key-chain wherein a key-ring is provided
at the second end thereof.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important
features of the invention in order that the detailed description
thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that
the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.
There are additional features of the invention that will be
described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the
claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the
invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is
not limited in its application to the details of construction and
to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following
description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is
capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out
in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology
and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description
and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be
utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods
and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present
invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded
as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not
depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and
especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art
who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to
determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence
of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is
neither intended to define the invention of the application, which
is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to
the scope of the invention in any way.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new
Self-Defense Device apparatus and method which has many of the
advantages of the defense apparatus mentioned heretofore and many
novel features that result in a new Self-Defense Device which is
not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by
any of the prior art defense apparatus, either alone or in any
combination thereof.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new
Self-Defense Device which may be easily and efficiently
manufactured and marketed.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new
Self-Defense Device which is of a durable and reliable
construction.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new
Self-Defense Device which is susceptible of a low cost of
manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which
accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the
consuming public, thereby making such Self-Defense Device
economically available to the buying public.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
new Self-Defense Device which provides in the apparatuses and
methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while
simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally
associated therewith.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new
Self-Defense Device for thwarting off a would-be attacker and
allowing a potential victim to flee to safety.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new
Self-Defense Device which includes a grasping member adapted for
grasping thereof in a user's hand, a plurality of spaced spikes
protruding downward from the grasping member, and an end spike
protruding from a second end of the grasping member. A self-defense
chemical irritant is disposed within a hollow interior chamber of
the grasping member and an actuator mechanism is provided at a
first end of the grasping member for effectuating release thereof.
The grasping member alternatively functions as key-chain wherein a
key-ring is provided at the second end thereof.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
new Self-Defense Device that can be easily and firmly grasped in a
person's hand, and more specifically, can be easily and firmly
grasped by individuals with smaller hands such as women.
Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a
new Self-Defense Device that alternatively functions as a key chain
and, as such, can be easily and conveniently carried.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the
various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are
pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming
a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the
invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects
attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying
drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated
preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood and objects other than
those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is
given to the following detailed description thereof. Such
description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side view of a new Self-Defense Device according to the
present invention.
FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an illustration of the actuator mechanism for the
self-defense chemical irritant of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 4--4 of FIG.
1.
FIG. 5 is a side view of a second embodiment of the present
invention receiving a replaceable self-defense chemical
dispenser.
FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along line 6--6 of FIG.
5.
FIG. 7 is a side view of a second embodiment of the present
invention with a replaceable self-defense chemical dispenser in
place.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1
through 7 thereof, a new Self-Defense Device embodying the
principles and concepts of the present invention and generally
designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.
More specifically, it will be noted that the Self-Defense Device 10
comprises a grasping member 20 adapted for grasping thereof in a
user's hand, a plurality of spaced spikes 30 protruding downward
from the grasping member 20, and an end spike 35 protruding from a
second end 22 of the grasping member 20. A self-defense chemical
irritant 50 is disposed within a hollow interior chamber 25 of the
grasping member 20 and an actuator mechanism 60 is provided at a
first end 21 of the grasping member 20 for effectuating release
thereof. The grasping member 20 alternatively functions as
key-chain wherein a key-ring 40 is provided at the second end 22
thereof.
As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, it can be shown that the
grasping member 20 has a first end 21, a second end 22, a top
surface 23, and a bottom surface 24. The grasping member 20 also
has a hollow interior chamber 25. The grasping member 20 has a
generally elliptical cross section so as to be easily grasped in a
user's hand.
The plurality of spaced spikes 30 are generally parallel and
perpendicularly protrude from the bottom surface 24 of the grasping
member 20. The plurality of spaced spikes 30 comprises a first
spike 31 adjacent the first end 21 of the grasping member 20, a
third spike 33 adjacent the second end 22 of the grasping member
20, and a second spike 32 intermediate the first spike 31 and the
second spike 32. The first spike 31 perpendicularly protrudes from
the bottom surface 24 of the grasping member 20 so as to be
positionable in use between the index finger and the middle finger
of a user's hand. The second spike 32 perpendicularly protrudes
from the bottom surface 24 of the grasping member 20 so as to be
positionable in use between the middle finger and the ring finger
of a user's hand. The third spike 33 perpendicularly protrudes from
the bottom surface 24 of the grasping member 20 so as to be
positionable in use between the ring finger and the little finger
of a user's hand. The end spike 35 perpendicularly protrudes from
the second end 22 of the grasping member 20 so as to protrude in
use from the palm of a user's hand.
The grasping member 20, the plurality of spaced spikes 30, and the
end spike 35 are integrally formed and are formed of an aluminum
alloy so as to be durable and light weight. In addition, a
protective coating 19, formed of a polymeric material, is disposed
on the aluminum alloy so as to prevent snagging or damaging of
pocket linings or clothing and alleviate damage to the ignition and
adjacent dash area of a car should the key-ring 40 be used to hold
an ignition key. The key-ring 40 is retained within a hole 28
provided at the second end 22 of the grasping member 20 adjacent
the top surface 23 thereof.
The self-defense chemical irritant 50, disposed within the hollow
interior chamber 25 of the grasping member 20, may include mace,
tear gas, pepper spray, or the like. As best illustrated in FIGS. 1
through 3, it can be shown that the actuator mechanism 60 is
provided at the first end 21 of the grasping member 20 for
effectuating release of the self-defense chemical irritant 50. The
actuator mechanism 60 includes a spray nozzle 61 and a trigger
button 62 for triggering release of the self-defense chemical
irritant 50. The spray nozzle 61 is provided at the first end 21 of
the grasping member 20 and is disposed on the bottom surface 24 of
the grasping member 20. The trigger button 62 is provided at the
first end 21 of the grasping member 20 and is disposed on the top
surface 23 of the grasping member 20.
A trigger cover 63 is pivotally mounted on the top surface 23 of
the grasping member 20 over the trigger button 62 for preventing
accidental actuation of the trigger button 62. The trigger cover 63
has a pivoting end 63a and a non-pivoting end 63b wherein the
pivoting end 63a is pivotally coupled to the grasping member 20 by
a pivot pin 64. A dimple 29 may be provided in the top surface 23
of the grasping member 20 adjacent the non-pivoting end 63b of the
trigger cover 63 so as to permit the tip of a user's thumb to be
inserted under the non-pivoting end 63b of the trigger cover 63. As
such, the user can effectively pivot and flip the trigger cover 63
up to gain access to the trigger button 62.
In a second embodiment, as best illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 7,
it can be shown that the Self-Defense Device 100 is designed for
use with a replaceable self-defense chemical dispenser 102 having a
cylindrical body 103 equipped with a spray nozzle 104 and a trigger
button 105. As such, the Self-Defense Device 100 comprises a
grasping member 120 having a first end 121, a second end 122, a top
surface 123, and a bottom surface 124, a plurality of spaced spikes
130 protruding downward from the grasping member 120, and an end
spike 135 protruding from the second end 122 of the grasping member
120. The grasping member 120 has a bore 126 therein open to the
first end 121 thereof. The bore 126 is adapted for receiving and
retaining the cylindrical body 103 of the replaceable self-defense
chemical dispenser 102 whereby the spray nozzle 104 and the trigger
button 105 of the replaceable self-defense chemical dispenser 102
protrude from the first end 121 of the grasping member 120.
Additionally, a key-ring 140 is retained within a hole 128 provided
at the second end 122 of the grasping member 120 adjacent the top
surface 123 thereof.
In use, a user of the Self-Defense Device 10 grasps the grasping
member 20 such that the first spike 31 is positioned between the
index finger and the middle finger of the user's hand, such that
the second spike 32 is positioned between the middle finger and the
ring finger of the user's hand, and such that the third spike 33 is
positioned between the ring finger and the little finger of the
user's hand. In addition, the trigger cover 63 is pivoted up with
the user's thumb so as to allow access to the trigger button 62. As
such, the user of the Self-Defense Device 10 may thwart off a
would-be attacker by striking the would-be attacker with the
plurality of spaced spikes 30 and the end spike 35 and may thwart
off a would-be attacker by releasing the self-defense chemical
irritant 50 by depressing the trigger button 62 thereby allowing
the user to flee to safety.
As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of
the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above
description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the
manner of usage and operation will be provided.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized
that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the
invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form,
function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed
readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all
equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and
described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by
the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications
and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is
not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and
operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable
modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within
the scope of the invention.
* * * * *